Suction lifter



vJuly l', 1941. G.J. -sHMlD'r y 2.247.787

SUCTION LIFTER Filed July 29. 1939 6 sheets-sheet 1 NM di M ,.@E DI NB\ v INVENTOR BYGOTTFRIED SCHMIDT ATTORNEY July l, 1941. J. SCHMIDT sUcTIoN LIYFTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, 193'.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY m M H C Qu., J. D ...m R F T. Tl O G.

6 y SheetsfSheKet G. J. SCHMIDT SUGTION LIFTER FiledJuly 29, 19:59

July 1, 1941,.

ATTORNEY G. J. scHMlD-r A V2,247,787

SUCTION LIFTER Filed July 29, 1939 July 1, I1941.

e sheets-sheet 4 gli VnuvENToR-4 l GOTTFRIED nLSGHMIDT- ATTORNEY July 1,1941.- G. J. scHMlD-r SUCTION LIFTER ,Filed July 29,2- 1959 6l Sheets-Sheet 5 'INVENTOR ATTORNEY my 1, 1941. G.J sHMm-r 247387 SUCTION LIFTER Filled July 29, 1959 e sheets-sheet 6 INVENTOR OTTFRIEDLSCHMIDT ATTORN EY Patented July 1, 1941 UNITED 'STATESI PATENT oFFicl:

SUCTION LIFTER Gottfried J. Schmidt, Pearl River, N. Y., assigner to Bowling Patents Management Corporation, a corporation of New York Application July 29, 1939, Serial N0. 287,225 o 19 Claims.

transfers without manual intervention:

Ation head `in performance of the various events of the machine cycle.

A further object is to provide a novel means for controlling the relative pressures as between the various ducts in such a manner that the.

physical contacts between the article to be transferred and an appropriate part of the suction head, such as the vacuum cup, will set in train the series of operations to which reference has been made above, making effective in the first place, a uid pressure head below the piston adequate to lift the piston and suction head,

. with an engaged article sustained exclusively by the vacuum sealed joint between the article and the vacuum cup, while the transfer from the pick-up station is accomplished. l

i An object of prime importance is to provide Ia novel form of uid pressure control circuit including a uid pressure responsive valve device tion head and its load will be caused at a desired height, by the provision of a crane by which the constructed and arranged to admit air underatmospheric pressure below the piston, and place the space above the piston in communication fluid pressure cylinder and the suction head are transferred, the crane running upon a suitable track.

As a cognate object, provision is made of a motor, which may be mounted on the crane and has gearing adapted to aotuate an adjustable driving wheel which may be swung into engagement with an upper rail, andalternatively with 1 a lower rail of the track structure, thereby to.

move the crane, cylinder and load bodily between the stations in either direction as required by the several events of the machine cycle.

In pursuance of the general object of the invention, it is a further object to bring the operations of this crane and its motor and gear shift under the control of a lpneumatic control circuit or circuits, with valve devices operated by rela,- tive movements between the operating parts of `the crane, cylinder, load and track structure;

It is 'a further object to actuate-the motor from a suitable source of power, which may be electric, pneumatic or of other suitable character, according .to the exigencies of particular installations. If an electric motor be used it may also actuate a pump Ato activate the uid pressure vacuum system.

vOther objects and features of the invention will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention progresses.

In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters areapplied to corresponding parts throughout the views which make up the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a/'view in front elevation of part of a transfer system in the construction of which the present invention has been embodied, this view illustrating a, fluid pressurecylinder carried by a crane running upon an overheadtrack; al'so a suction head operated by the cylinder, and valve mechanisms associated therewith, the parts being'shown at the pick-up position;

Figure 1a is a fragmentary detail view in side elevation showing the suction head in position to trip a valve;

Figure 2 is a view in endelevation looking from right to left on Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the 'crane and its associated parts shown in an intermedi- Figure is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the parts at the depositing position, associated with cam mechanism designed to effect the various phases of the operation of fdepositing the article after transfer;

parts being omitted for the sake of clearness in illustration Figure 9 is a similar fragmentary detail view n in horizontal section, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. '1;

Figures 10 and 11 are respective fragmentary detail views in veritcal section of the fluid pressure cylinder'l head, illustrating different operative positions of the pneumatic automatic control valve;

Figure 12 is a similar view taken on the line Figure 13 is a fragmentary detail view similar to Fig. 10, illustrating the fluid pressure cylinder head and its associated parts, including a modied setting ofthe valve operating cam;

Figure 14 is a horizontal sectional view on the linel4l4 of Fig. 13;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale of the stop and detent mechanism for the pick-up station;

In a now preferred embodiment of the invention selected for illustration and description, and referring first to the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 20, inclusive, the part designated generally by the reference character I is the suction head Vof a transfer mechanism in the construction of which the present mechanism has been embodied, comprising a vacuum cup 2 mounted upon a plunger 3 which is constituted by the piston rod of a piston 4 (see Fig. 17), in a fluid pressure cylinder 5, by which the suction head I and its.

load B (a 16-pound bowling ball in the instance illustrated-see Fig. 20) are lifted and/or sustained, transferred and deposited.

A spring 1 is provided to bias the piston 4 upwardly, counterbalancing the weight of the plunger and its associated moving parts wholly or in part, and ducts 9 and Il connect the chambers 22 and 23, above and below the piston, through ports I0 and 20, the duct l5 being in communication with a s ource of suction S (see Figs. 2 and 18) through a suitable conduit C.

The fluid pressure cylinder together with the suction head and their associated parts, to be described more at length, are mounted upon a crane 24 having wheels 25 running upon tracks 26 and 21 between several stations of the transfer system, which stations will be designated generally by the reference characters PU, indi- Figure 16 is a view in vertical section of the parts shown in Fig. 15 taken on the line |6--l6 of Fig. 15; t

Figure 11 is a sectional elevation of the main or lift cylinder and its valve head, showing the setting-of the valves when delivering the load at the deposit station;

Figure 18 is a sectional elevation taken on the line i8-l8 of Figure 1'1;

Figure 19 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 17, showing the setting of the valves when lifting the load away from thepick-up station;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary detail view of the suction head when about to be engaged with the load, preliminary to picking up the load;

Figure 21 is a schematic view in side elevation of a transfer system embodying the present invention in a modified form;

' Figure 22 isa view in end elevation of the partsV shown in Fig. 21;

Figures 23 and 25 are views on an enlarged scale in sectional elevation oi the suction head, in conjunction with the load and showing in vertical section the modified fluid pressure operating cylinder and the pneumatic-automatic control valve therefor, all mounted upon a suitable carrage adapted to roll upon the tracks illustrated, these figures illustrating the operating parts as the are positioned at the pick-up positionand cating the pick-up station, and DS, indicating the deposit station.

In addition to the fluid pressure cylinder with its suction head, the carriage is preferably provided with an electric motor M and the vacuum and compression pump S, which is driven by the motor through suitable means, such as the sprocket chain 28, (Fig. 1), and the carriage is further provided with a set of gearing 29, 30 and 3l, of which 30 is a sprocket wheel driven by a sprocket chain 32 running from a sprocket wheel 29x on the shaft 33 of motor M. 'I'he gear 3| is a shift gear mounted upon an arm 34 which is fulcru'med upon the shaft 35 carrying the gear 30, the shaft being journalled in bearings carried by the crane 24. The gear 3| is fast on a shaft 36 which carries also a grooved friction actuating wheel 31 and this wheel, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, is adapted to enter into operative engagement with the lower track 21 when in the position i1- lustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and alternatively can be moved to the position shown in Fig. '7 where it is engaged with the upper rail 26.

Means are preferably provided to bias the arm 34 and wheel 31 yieldingly toward each of the above described contacts with the rails 26 and 21, respectively, 'which preferred means for applying such bias takes the form of a rod 38 upon which is mounted a spring 33 under compression between a swivel 41 carrying shaft 36, and an abutment 40 mounted on a swinging bracket 4l which can be oscillated around a pivot stud 42 mounted on the crane 24. When the wheel 31 is engaged with rail 21 and is rotated by motor M, the friction wheel 31 will be rotated counterclockwise and run along the track21 from right to left, and will move the crane and all its associated parts in that direction, which in the instance illustrated is toward the deposit station DS. When the gear 3l is in its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. '1, the friction driving wheel 31 will be engaged with the rail 26, and as the wheel is always turned counterclockwise, it will run from left to right along said upper rail 26 and will'cause movement of the crane and its associated parts in that direction, i. e., toward the pick-up station PU. y

Any suitable means may be provided to ei.-v

fect the changes in the position of the arm 3,4,

its shaft 36'and the gear and friction wheel carried by said shaft. The best constructions nowbe engaged with the ball B while the pneumatic automatic valve PV occupies the position shown in Figs. 10 and 12, in communication with the I low-pressure side of pump S through. conduit C and duct I5 (Figs. 1 and 18) and also being in communication with the chamber 23 of cylinder 5 through ducts 9 and II and valve ports I0 and 8 (Fig. 18), drawing the piston 4 downwardly by thesuction thereon applied in chamber 23 until the vacuum cup 2and load are in contact (see Figs. 17 and 18), forming a vacuum sealed joint in known fashion, the suction for energizing the vacuum cup at this stage being made efunder control of a valve 48 in a valve casing 49 to which leads a duct 50 in communication with the low pressure side 5I of the compressorvacuum pump S. A iexible hose 52 (see Fig. 5) leads from the valve ca-sing 49 .to the space above the piston 44 in cylinder SC so that when the valve is in the position shown in Fig. 7, suction will be applied above the piston 44 and the latter will rise, forcing the rod 46 upward to move shaft 36, gear 3l and friction driving wheel 31 into the upper position shown in Fig. 7 where'it is en gaged with rail 26.

It will be observed that in pursuance of the invention, the arm 3d and rod 38 form cooperating parts of a toggle joint of which the knuckle is constituted between shaft 36 and its associated connections, the result being thatl as soon as the plunger 46 has raised the shaft 36 beyond the center line connecting the shaft vwith the pivot 62, the bias of spring 39 will become effective to throw the shaft 36 to its extreme upper position, shown in Fig. 7 or, upon reversal of the action, to its extreme lower position as shown in Fig. 3.

Movement of the plunger -46 is caused by drawing the piston 4d .downward through the space at the bottom of the cylinder .by the action of suction, which is applied through another flexible hose 53, which extends upward from a valve casing 5d. (see Fig. 3) deriving its suction through a duct 55 connected with the low pressure side of the compressor and vacuum pump S.

In pursuance of the invention, movements of the crane, etc., in its path along the rails 26-21 are controlled by mechanism at the ends or other appropriate portions of said path, and in the instance illustrated, such mechanism is provided at the pick-up station PU and somewhat differ- Describing these operations in the natural order of the events, the pick-up operation is best understood by reference to Fig. 1, which-is an assembly View showing all of the parts requisite for that operation, in their position at the pickup station designated PU where the`crane 24 is Shown, with its depending fluid pressure cylinder 5, suction head l, and their associated parts, such as the pump S, shifting cylinder SC and motor M, all mounted upon the crane, which is energized by electrical current brought-in through an overheadtrolley T running on an overhead wire W in known manner. y

Y Referring to the crane 24 and all of the parts movable laterally therewith as the crane, for the sake of brevity, Fig. 1 shows'this crane where it stops at the end of a cycleof events, at which position the suction head I .remains elevated, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, without a load, but ready to descend to the position best indicated in Fig. 20, in which the vacuum cup 2 is about to 'fective through the duct I6, lengthwise of plunger 3, and the chamber 22 of cylinder 5, port 20 of the cylinder head, and a small opening 2| in the bottom of pneumatic valve PV (see' Figs. 10- 14, 17-1'9, inclusive).

When the system is in operation, there is always a slight bleed through this .little port 2I,'

when free of the load and this bleed is of an order sufcient to seal the vacuum cup to the load, upon contact, as for example the ball B or the upper sheet |00 of a stack of sheets, such as tin sheets IIJI, as shown in Figs. 17 and 13.

Immediately upon such sealing, however, the suction through port 2l and port I2 in the valve PV through duct I5 into the chamber 22, and.

through duct 6, having no other avenue' of relief,

pulls over the' valve PV, against the bias of cornpression spring I4, into the position shown Fig. 19, whereupon suction is made effective, in chamber 22, ofan order adequate to lift'the piston 4, plunger 3 and load B, all of the way up to the position shown in Fig. la.

On its way from thel intermediate' position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 1a, the post |02, mounted adjustably in a bracket It clamped upon plunger 3, is engaged with a distance piece 99 pivoted upon a bracket 9B clamped in adjusted position upon a hanger 91 depending from a boss 96 upon a bracket 95 clamped to rail 2'1 in horizontal adjusted position, and when so engaged and moved upward. the piece 99 presses up a valve-actuating push button 9i! which is normally biased by spring 93 to the extended position shown in Fig. 1.

This movement lupward of push button 943 to Athe position shown in Fig. 1a, opens theV valve cylinder SC, (Fig. 7), and the piston descends,

drawing rod d6 and shaft 36 downward to bring friction wheel 37 Ainto engagement with the track 2, and as lthe said wheel is always running, the crane is moved laterally to the left from the pick-up station PU, it being understood that by its descent the` shaft 36 has' been cleared from the restraining influence of the detent 92 (Fig.

` 15) which normally has dropped behind the shaft 36 as soon as the wheel 25 has been stopped by the bumper 9i on its right-hand travel. The

bumper 9| is adjustable and has a cushion te,

and the track 26 is provided with a cam device 89 which may be secured at a suitable point to depress shaft 36, moving wheel 3l out of engagement with the overhead track 2B, upon arrival at the pick-up station. V

At any stage of its transfer movement laterally, the crane'and itsV associated'parts present the appearance illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, and the pneumatic-automatic valve PV occupies the position shown in Fig. 19.-

The next event in the transfer cycle occurs when the crane reaches the deposit station DS (see Fig. 5) where further motion laterally is'` in a manner `similar to that of the parts 89 and 92 in Fig. 15.

The next event consists in the engagement by grooved friction wheel I3 (Fig. 5), with a control wheel 8.5 having a rim 88 formed with an inverted V-shaped contour in cross-section, which is so formed as to give a good frictional contact with the reverse V-shape on wheel I3.

The wheel 85 is` mounted rotatably upon a shaft 83 journalled in bearings 82 at the free end of a bracket 8| depending from a pivot 80 carried by a split clamp 19 secured adjustably upon the rail 28 as by volts 18. A spring 11 exerts a'bias upon an arm of the bracket 8| relatively to rail 25, and thus acts to determine the position of the control wheel 85 relatively to the friction wheel 38, operating in a manner which will be understood readily by those skilled in the art.

.The wheel 85 has a counterweight 13 which tends to gravity-bias the wheel to the position shown in Fig. 5, wherein the two disc cams 12 and 1|, fixed onfand rotatable with the shaft 83 are shown as occupying, respectively the dotted line positions illustrated in Fig. 5, the cam 12 being somewhat in the lead, with reference to rotation of the wheel which is normally counterclockwise when turned by friction wheel I3. Both cams are timed, as illustrated, to rotate through nearly a complete turn before becoming effective for their intended purposes, as will be clear upon reference to Fig. "I.

This lag of the cams is designed to afford time for the plunger 3 to descend-from the elevated carrying position shown in Fig. 3, to the deposit position shown in Figs. 17 and 18, an event which supervenes immediately upon arrival ofthe crane at its Fig. 'I position, where an adjustable eccentric cam y1l, mounted upon an arm 69 of the bracket 8|,.or upon any suitable relatively stationary part of the frame, and set in the path of a suitable lever 88 (see Fig. 10) pivotally mounted on the cylinder head VH, pulls the valve PV to its Fig. 10 position and makes the suction eiIective in the lower chamber 23 to pull down the piston l, suction head I and load against the action of spring 1, (Fig. 18)

The lowering actionv can be controlled by asuitable setting of the eccentric stop 10 as indicated in Figs. -10 and 13, to regulate the flow of fluid from the chamber 23 by setting the valve PV in positions which range from the full-openl position of Fig. 10, to a cut-off position, which maybe greater or less than that illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. When valve PV is set as in Fig.

10, the piston and load will be drawn down more rapidlv than when the valveA is set in the position of Figs. 13 and 14, the suctional effect being less in the last-named position of the valve.

In order to diminish the suctional effect still further, the invention provides for a bleed from the outer air, which is made effective. inthe space 22 through a channel I8 in the periphery of valve PV, this channel serving to place the space 23in'communication with the outer air through a path traced through duct II and 9 and port n (Fig. 1a). The higher pressure thus admitted tends to check the descent of the load and can be regulated at will by adjusting the eccentric stop 10.

The parts being in the position shown in Figs. 1'7 and 18, with the valve PV in position to make suction effective in space 23, the piston 4 and suction head I, with load B or |00 as the case may be, descend to deposit the load, and then atmospheric pressure is made effective in cylinder space 22 through bleed channel I8,.oriiice 2| and port 20, to create therein a plenum of air which is in communication with the interior of vacuum cup 2 by way of the duct I6 and acts to loosen the cup 2 and deposit the load in the desired spot, as indicated in Figs. 17 and 18.

During the deposit event, the control wheel has been turned by action of the friction wheel I3 until the cam 12 has been engaged with the valve operator stem 61, as shown in Fig. 1l, operating the cut-off valve CO to shut oi the suction from space 23, whereupon the spring-bias lof spring 1 is made effective to raise the load-free suction head to a position clear for the return transfer of the crane and its associated parts rto the pick-up station PU.

The return is initiated very shortly after said elevation of the suction head, by action of the cam 1 I which, as shown in Fig. 7, follows closely after cam 12 and trips a bell crank lever 65 into engagement with push button 64 on valve 48, thereby making suction efiiective in the upper space of shift cylinder SC, forcing up the piston 44, rod 46, shaft 38 and friction wheel 31, into the position where the last-named wheel runs upon the track 26, as shown in Fig. '7, and the cranev travels in its right-hand direction, carrying the empty, elevated suction head along until the horizontal valve lstem 66 is engaged with a stop 66:2: (see Fig. l) which may conveniently be mounted Iadjustably in a sleeve 63 carried by the same bracket 96 which is clamped as at 95 upon the bottom rail 21 and supports the upright 91, bracket 98 and spacing member 99 to which reference has already been made.

As can be readily seen, the spacer 99 occupies normally a level position where it is cleared by the push button 98 and the post |02 as they accompany the crane in its right-hand travel. The bias of spring 1 is designed to bring the ,suction head normally to the height shown by full lines in Figs. 1 and 19, with thepost |02 at the proper position for clearance of the spacer 99, the latter being thus disposed correctly to cooperate with the p ost |02 and push button 94, as shown in Fig. la, after descent of the suction head and subsequent elevation of the same with a new load. at the initiation of a new transfer cycle.

Fig. 19 shows the position of the working parts of the lift cylinder 5 at this stage, with the pneumatic valve PV at its extreme right-hand position, having its channel I9 set to make the suction from C effective in space 22.

In a modified embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 21 to 28, inclusive, a transfer system is illustrated in which is embodied the basic idea of means underlying the invention, the same being characterized by mechanism designed to operate ina cyclical path, the events constituted by the several operations being ac,- complished recurrently without manual intervention.

In the modified embodiment selected for illustration of this form of the invention, rails R sive.

are supported by brackets 209 depending from a suitable overhead structure 200, such. as a beam in the ceiling or other structural part of a. room in a building, as for example in a bowling alley,

where T is a typical trap for a spent ball, such as a bowling ball 2|6, while 20| shows the starting ramp of a return runway, near the .pit, in a bowling alley, and upon which it is customary to deposit a-ball, such as that illustrated at 2I6,

ready to run back to the other end of the alley l for use by the player. i

In pursuance of the invention provision -is made for transferring the ball from the trap 'T to the ramp 20| by means of a vertically reciprocating suction head 2|| which may desirably take the form illustrated in Figs. 23-28, inclu In the instance illustrated, it comprises a vacuum cup 2l2 attached to a plunger 23 constituted by the piston rod of a fluid pressure cylinder 2|5 which is in communication with a suit-- vwhat below the position in Fig. 25.

Positive actuation of the piston 2|l is accomplished, to raise and lower the load, by making effective a suitable dilferential of pressure in the spaces 222 and 223 above and belowthe piston, andthis is achieved under controlby a pneumatic automatic valve VP, shown as a slide valve in the instance illustrated, and adapted to be reciprocated in a valve headVH.

When the Valve VP occupies the position shown in Figs. 23 and 24, to which it is normally biased by a coil spring 202, suction will be made effective in the lower space 223, and the piston 2|4 and suction head 2H are thereby drawn down against the yielding resistance of the.

spring 2H until the vacuum cup 2l2 is brought rmly into engagement withthe upper surface of the load 2|6, which may, of course, be of any suitable character, in this instance being shown merely by Way of.illustration as a bowling ball 2|6.

In Fig. 27 the load is shown as one of the plates or sheets 2I61: in a stack of tinned sheets such as those used in making cans, and an appropriate vacuum cup 2|2x isprovided which corresponds in essential respects to the vacuum cup 2 I2 in the other figures.

During the periodl of descent, there is a relatively small vvacuum in the upper space 222 due to the fact that while. that space vis in com( munication with the vacuum source C through the channel 2|9 and a small 'aperture 225 in thevalve PV, and through the port 220, the suctional effect is neutralized by a bleed through a duct ,206 extending to the interior of vacuum cup 2l2 through the plunger 2|3. Immediately upon completion of the vacuum tight seal between cup 2 I2 and the load 2|6, createdy by engagement of their mutually contiguous surfaces upon completion of the downward movement of suction head 2H, the bleed 'is discontinued, and suiiicient suction vbecomes effective'in the chamber 222 and ducts 224, 226 in the cylinder head, to

`counteract. the bias of coil spring 202 and draw the valve VP over tothe position shown in Fig. 25, thus'bringing the valve channel 221 into direct communication between the duct 2 9'leading from source C, and the space 222, through port 220. i

Thus the entire suctional effect is now applied to piston 2|4 and combines with the bias of spring 2|'| to raise the load'to the position shown in Fig. 25, this eventv occurring in an exclusively automatic fashion, without manual intervention. During its occurrence, the vacuum in space 223 is relieved by opening it to the access of atmospheric pressure by-a path traced through the port 22|, duc-ts 209 and 2|0 (Fig. 24), a channel228 (see dottedlines in Figs. 23-25) in the periphery of valve VP, and a `bleed 229 from the outer air. 'I'his arrangement adds the atmospheric pressure to the lifting effect in pursuance of the invention.

'I'he load is held by the suction' head 2| in its elevated position (Fig. 25) as long as suction through duct 2|9 continues, and during this elevation the next event occurs in the transfer cycle, viz., the lateral movement of the carriage 230 along the rails R.

'Ihe present embodiment of the invention is designed to eiect automatic recurrent movement of the carriage to and fro in a known path which comprises approximately thedis'tance between brackets 209, in the instance illustrated. Any suitable means may be provided to carry out the movements laterally of the carriage requisite to performance of the events which make up the complete cycle of such a transfer mechanism, and as a convenient form of means for the intended purpose, a linkmotion mecha'- nism vcomprising an arm A and a link L is shown, actuated by rotation of a cam 23|, having in lts face a groove 232 entered by a stud 233, suitable means, suchas a shaft s with connections (not shown) tto a prime mover, being provided to effect said rotation of the cam and consequent oscillations of the arm A around the axis of a rock shaft 2| 0 carried by a part of the machine (not shown). Y

The arm A has connections constituted by the link L, such that a 4dwell occurs in movement of the suction head, when at the station 20| and the head is depressed during said dwell in lateral movement ofthe carriage and its load, controlled by the concentric shape of the portions 232 and 235 of the cam groove.

'The actual transfer movement of the carriage, etc., is accomplished rather quickly as the somewhat acutely angular portions 236 of the caml are respectively brought into play vto move the parts (see Figs. 21 and 22) by thrusting the link" made effective when -the valve CO occupies its open position shown in Figs. 23-25, and the valve is 'moved to -this position byV engagement of a.roll 240 (see Figs, 21 and 24) on a crank 239, with an adjustable stop 24| mounted in a bracket 242 depending from the bracket 209 above the pick-up station over the trap T.

When suction is thus made effective, the valve VP occupies the position shownA in Fig. 24 and draft downward on the piston 2I4 is applied through .'the channel 238, ducts 2|9, 2I8, 209

and port 22| as already described, to bring the vacuum cup 2I2 down into sealed engagement with the load, as in Figs. 21-25, then acting to move valve VP, and to raise the load to its elevated position as show n in Fig. 25, the suction continuing to` sustain the load during transfer thereof to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 21, when the roller 240 of crank 239 is brought into engagement, as shown, with a similar stop 243, reversely mounted in bracket 244, turning the valve CO to its position in which the suc' tion is cut off, as shown in Fig. 28.

Thereupon, the bias of spring 202 is made effective to shift valve VP into its left-hand position, as shown in Fig. 23 (it being understood, however, that cut-off valve CO is as yet still closed as shown in Fig. 28, and the absence of suctional eifect permits the gravity bias of the combined weight of the load 216 and the suction head 2li and piston 2I4 to cause descent of the load to the ramp 20|.

Upon arrest ofthe load at deposit station 20|, the vacuum cup will remain in engagement with the load momentarily, while an inward bleed of atmospheric pressure through orifice 240 in the valve head (Fig. 28) channel 238 of the cut-oif valve CO, bleed orifice 245 to channel 2|9 and thence through channel 201 of valve VP, bleed 225 and port 220 to chamber 222 and duct 206 to the vacuum cup 2|2 (Fig. 23) results in breaking the vacuum seal between cup 2i2 and load 2K5. y

Thereupon fluid pressures are substantially equalized in spaces 222 and 223 and the spring 2H raises the load-free suction head 2H and piston 2|4 to an elevated position approximately that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 21, clear of the load, and ready |to be transferred by the arm-link mechanism A-L as the wall of either cam groove portion 236 acts to retract the carriage 230 toward the pick-up station and into engagement anew by stop 24| with roller 240 of the crank 239 Aoi? cut-oi'f valve C0, which rturnsthe latter to its open position of Figs. 23-25, making suction effective to lower the suction head and start the cycle all over.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device, selectedtoillustrate the invention, is but one of m'any possible concrete embodiments of the same. It. is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A transfer mechanism of the class comprising a suction head with a vacuum cup device adapted to be engaged with an article to be transferred, means to'move said vacuum cup toward and away from a position Ioccupied by said article, means to apply tosaid vacuum cup suction of an order adequate to form a substantially vacuum-tight sealed joint between said cup and said article, a suction control valve means,

' .and means to operate said valve to make effective in said vacuum cup suction of a higher order adequate to sustain the article.

sure, and Said Valve means CQmpI'iSBS 9. pneu'- matic automatic valve included in a pneumatic control circuit with said vacuum cup and responsive to changes in pressure in said circuit initiated by completion of said vacuum sealed Joint between the suction head and said article, and mechanism to move said suction head and its associated parts in a cyclical path, said valve being constructed and arranged to make said suction automatically effective to lift said suction head and article bodily preliminary to said bodily movement of the suction head in said cyclical path.

4. A transfer mechanism of the class comprising a suction head with a vacuum cup suction device adapted to be engaged removably with an Varticle to be transferred, means to cause operative engagement of saidrdevice with said article, means to apply to said vacuum cup suction of an order adequate to form a substantially vacuum-tight sealed joint, and means to make said suction effective in said cup thereafter to an extent adequate to sustain said article, and means to move said suction head bodily through at least part of a cyclical path with an article sustained thereby.

5. Av transfer mechanism having the features claimed in claim 4, wherein said means to cause operative engagement of said device with said articles includes a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston with connections to, and adapted to reciprocate, said suction head, and means to support said cylinder for movement with the head in said cyclical path.

6. A transfer mechanism having the features claimed in claim 4, wherein said means to cause operative engagement of said device with said articles includes a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston with connections to, and adapted to reciprocate, said suction head, and means to support said cylinder for movement with the head in said cyclical path, said supporting means including a crane, and a track on which said crane runs.

7. A transfer mechanism having-the features claimed in claim 4, wherein said means to cause operative engagement of said device with said articles includes a fluid pressure cylinder having a piston with connections to, and adapted to reciprocate, said suction head, and means to sup port said cylinder for movement with the head in said cyclical path said supporting means including a crane, and a track onV which said crane runs, a motor and a pump mounted on said crane, a trolley also carried thereby, an exterior I conductor adapted to be engaged movably by a 2. A transfer mechanism having the features I claimed in claim 1, wherein said .means to supply suction to said vacuum cup includes connections from a source of suction adapted to supply .a suctional effect capable of being modified to produce various effective orders of suction pressure, and said valve -means comprises a pneumatic automatic valve included in a pneumatic current collector on said trolley.electrical connections by which said current is made effective to energize said motor, and mechanical connections whereby said motor propels said crane and actuates said pump to operate said suction head and pneumatic control mechanism.

48. A transfer mechanism of the class comprising a suction head adapted to be engaged with an article to be transferred, a fluid pressure cylinder adapted to lift and lower said suction head to engage, lift and transfer said article, and a pneumatic automatic valve movable with said uid pressure cylinder, and included therewith in a pneumatic control circuit adapted to regu- 1 late the lifting and lowering movements of said suction head `by said cylinder.

9. A transfer mechanism of the class comprising a. suction head adapted to be engaged with an article to be transferred, a fluid pressure cyl'- inder adapted to lift and lower said suction head to engage, lift and transfer said article, a pneumatic automatic valve movable with said fluid pressure cylinder, and included therewith in a pneumatic controlcircuit adapted to regulate the lifting and lowering movements of said suction head by said cylinder, and means to move said cylinder and suction head bodily through a cyclical path.

i0. A transfer mechanism of the class comprising a suction head adapted to be engaged with an article to be transferred, a uid pressure cylinder adapted to lift and lower said suction head to engage, lift and transfer said article, a pneumatic automatic valve movable with said fluid pressure cylinder, and included therewith in a pneumatic control circuit adapted to regulate the lifting and lowering movements of said suction head by said cylinder, means to move said cylinder and suction head bodily through a cyclical path, and means to actuate said valve to cause said suction head to pick up an article at one station in said path and to deposit the article at a remote station, said instrumentalities being constructed and arranged to accomplish said operations free from manual interil. A cylinder with a pneumatic automatic comrol valve having the features claimed .in clair, 9, wherein a reciprocating piston is prodividing said cylinder into upper and spaces, and said valve is interconnected n sai: spaces by ducts and ports, and is conmructed anzi arranged to operate at times to establish a vacuum seal between the suction head and a. load, and thereupon to transfer the suc- '.iona effect automatically to said upper space in the cylinder to lift and sustain the load.

l2. in combination with a cylinder and a pneumatic automatic control valve, having the features claimed in claim 9, means to operate said valve to control pressures in said spaces of the cylinderte lower and raise the piston and load.

13. In combination with a cylinder and a pneumatic automatic control valve, having the features claimed in claim 9. means to operate said valve to control pressures in said spaces of the cylinder to lower and raise the piston and load. and to sustain said load in various positions.

14. A suction head in a transfer mechanism of the class described, having a vacuum cup adapted to be moved into engagement with articles to be lifted serially, a uid pressure device to raise and lower said suction head with and without the load. and means acting to govern the lifting. operation under -control of said vacuum cup, whereby said vacuum cup is adapted to accommodate itself to` engagement with articles of different dimensions, and each lifting operation supervenes only .upon completion of a vacuum sealed joint between said cup 'and the load adequate to enable said cup to sustain the load.

15. In a transfer mechanism having a fluid pressure cylinder provided with a piston and spaces above and below said piston adapted to be connected through suitable ducts with a source of suction; and a pneumatic automatic valve mounted movably in a valve chamber associated structurally with said cylinder, and adapted to move in a pneumatic control circuit for regulating connections between said ducts and the cylinder spaces, said valve being movable to a position in which it shuts off suction from the space below said piston while maintaining above said piston adequate suction to hold the same at an elevated position; and a plunger, suction head and load sustained by said piston.

16. A cylinder with a pneumatic automatic control valve having the features claimed in claim`l5 wherein said valve is adapted to cause the admission of atmospheric pressure in the space below said piston, thereby to aid in holding the load in an upper position.

17. Transfer'mechanism comprising a suction head. a system of tracks haying a plurality of rails, a carriage mounting said head and running on said track system, a fluid pressure cylinder to move said suction head for lifting and lowering a load. a motor and a geared wheel to move said cylinder along said track selectively, a shifting cylindei to shift said geared wheel into engagement first with one of said tracks and then from that track to another. to change the direction of travel of said carriage, and pneumatic control devices to regulate and control the operation of said cylinders.

18. In a transfer system of the class described comprising an overhead railway having a pair of spaced rails, a travelling crane thereon provided Vwith a motor', a pump driven by said motor, running gear including relatively xed and planetary frictional drivingwheels powered by said motor, a gear shifting cylinder for placing said wheels in driving position, a huid pressure lifting cylinder connected to said traveling crane, a piston positioned in said cylinder having a suction head operated thereby for lifting articles of different dimensions, and a pneumatic automatic valve for governing the lifting operation of the suction head.

I9. In combination with a cylinder and a pneumatic automatic c ontrol valve, having the features claimed in claim 9, means to operate said valve to control pressures in said spaces of the cylinder to lower and raise the piston and load, and to pick-up said load in various positions.

GOTI'FRIED J. SCHMIDT.

DISCLAIMER 2,247,787r-Gott7'ed J. Schmidt, Pearl River, N. SUc'rroN Lrmn. Patent;`

dated July 1, 1941. Disclaimer filed December 8, 1942, by the assignee, Bowling Patents Management Corporation. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 14, 15 and 16 of said patent.

[O 'icial Gazette December 29, 1.942.] 

